A close-up side view of a modern building with a wooden facade, several air conditioners or heat pumps, and decorative plants in gravel beds.

Multiphysical simulation for sustainable energy systems

The heating transition is often referred to as Germany's largest infrastructure project since the Second World War - and not without good reason. While the electricity transition has so far largely focussed on the expansion of renewable generation plants and the expansion of the transmission grids, the heating transition is much more complex and requires much more intervention. It requires not only the massive expansion of electrical distribution grids and heating grids, but also the gradual dismantling of fossil natural gas infrastructures or their conversion to hydrogen. At the same time, new, locally available heat sources must be tapped - including environmental heat, geothermal energy, industrial waste heat and renewable energies such as solar thermal energy or biomass. And all of this must be tailored to the individual circumstances of each municipality and region.



  • Sustainable energy systems
  • District heating
  • Energy neighbourhood concepts
  • Municipal heat planning
  • Sector coupling
  • Waste heat and adsorption chillers
  • Combined heat, power and cooling (CHP)

Research focus

Against this background, our research field is dedicated to the development of open, simulation-based tools that enable decision-makers from municipalities, public utilities, planning offices and industry to make well-founded and site-specific decisions. Our work thus addresses key issues in municipal heat planning, sector coupling and the expansion and transformation of infrastructure. The focus is on a holistic approach: from the identification of renewable heat sources to network planning and the assessment of socio-economic impacts. In doing so, we specifically close knowledge gaps, create methodological foundations and thus make an active contribution to the successful implementation of the heating transition at neighbourhood and system level.

Contact person
Prof. Dr. Matthias Schicktanz 

Current projects

Clicking on the image will redirect you to the project page of QWW, Quartierswärmewende (Neighbourhood Heat Transition), duration: 01.2025 – 01.2026.